A federal leadership PAC created by Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes after his failed U.S. Senate bid spent far more on administrative costs — and far less on direct campaign support — than comparable political committees, according to a WisPolitics review of OpenSecrets data.
During the 2023–24 cycle, The Long Run PAC directed $138,396 to candidates and committees while spending $372,319 on administrative expenses. That means just 14.1% of its funds went to other campaigns, while 38.1% of itemized expenses covered overhead such as payroll, travel, consulting, and compliance. By comparison, OpenSecrets data show the average federal leadership PAC sent 45.6% of its funds to candidates and devoted 8.7% to administrative costs, as reported by Wis Politics.
Barnes’ campaign disputes that framing, arguing the figures don’t fully reflect fundraising conducted on behalf of other candidates. A spokesperson said the PAC both raised and contributed more than $445,000 for state and national campaigns when including activity through the first half of 2025.
“Our unique approach has allowed us to mobilize Lt. Gov. Barnes’s sizable base of grassroots support to raise hundreds of thousands for candidates aligned with our mission,” the spokesperson said. “We believe that this approach both aligns with Lt. Gov. Barnes’s values – and is the most effective way for us to help elect candidates who will move the country in the right direction.”
Republicans were less charitable. State GOP spokesperson Anika Rickard criticized the spending profile, tying it to Barnes’ time under Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. (RELATED: AI Critics Secretly Bankrolled Newsroom Coverage to Skew Public Perception)
“Mandela Barnes running an uncontrolled bloated administrative PAC is no surprise,” Rickard said. “After four years in (Dem Gov. Tony) Evers’ administration, bloated administrations is all he knows.”
The Long Run PAC spent nearly $1.1 million during the 2023–24 cycle — more than any leadership PAC linked to Wisconsin’s incumbent federal lawmakers. By contrast, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany’s Dam Man PAC devoted nearly all of its spending to candidates, while U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s People’s Voice PAC sent roughly a third of its funds to other committees and spent less than 1% on administrative costs.
Barnes launched The Long Run PAC in 2023 using more than $565,000 left over from his 2022 Senate campaign. The PAC has since reported $876,709 in receipts. Barnes recently announced his bid for governor, saying the PAC would not be converted into his campaign committee and that all donations would be disclosed in compliance with campaign finance law.
In early 2025, the PAC continued giving modestly, including donations to Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford, state Superintendent Jill Underly, and Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones.
The spending patterns are likely to draw renewed scrutiny as Barnes’ gubernatorial campaign moves forward. (RELATED: Evers Allies Throws Hat in the Ring for Governor’s Race)
